For obvious reasons, an increased harvest will be encouraged this year in much of the region, where many units are designated as Herd Control units.

Central Forest
Region
The smallest state-designated deer-hunting management region is the Central Forest, where only five DMUs are in place. Yet, three of those five -- 67A, 55 and 54A -- carry harvest statistics that have proudly placed them among the top-20 deer-hunting units statewide for 2006. Last season's total gun harvest in the region was 31,836 animals -- 10,141 antlered deer and 21,541 antlerless deer.

Topping the list was Unit 67A, where hunters killed 6,443 deer -- 1,881 antlered deer and 4,512 antlerless deer. Hunters in Unit 55 registered 5,683 deer -- 2,143 antlered deer and 3,514 antlerless deer. Hunters in Unit 54A harvested 5,443 whitetails -- 1,815 carried horns and 3,591 were antlerless.

The region typically has additional antlerless tags available and should be a good place for hunters looking to fill their freezer with venison.

Southern Farmland
Region
The Southern Farmland Region of Wisconsin encompasses most of the southern third of the state and includes the entire Chronic Wasting Disease Zone.

Whitetail hunters regionwide during the 2006 gun season tagged 99,030 animals.

The No. 1 unit in the region was 71CWD with 5,801 animals. Nearly half of the harvest -- or 2,823 animals -- were antlered deer. Unit 69 followed in 206 with 4,773 whitetails killed, of which 1,890 were antlered deer. (Author's Note: DMU 69 was the only unit in the region to hold a regular deer season for 2005. All remaining units were designated HC, EAB or CWD.)

It appears hunters can have a quality deer-hunting experience in areas marked for eradication, and the 2006 deer harvest in the Southern Farmland Region supports the claim. CWD management units are obviously widespread in the region, and that draws an unlimited EAB hunting season across much of the region. This means that hunters will earn the authorization to take one buck for every antlerless deer they register. Hunters who have taken advantage of these opportunities in past years report less hunting pressure and good numbers of deer.

Antler
Development
Hunters in search of horns may find the 2007 Wisconsin deer-hunting season will prove to be a very good year. According to the WDNR, antler development in the Northern Forest was above the five- and 10-year averages during 2006, and much improved from 2003, 2004 and 2005. Increasing trends in branched antlers during 2006, the WDNR reports, may have been associated with mild winters during 2004-05 and 2005-06. Deer with forked antlers were also prevalent in the Eastern, Western and Southern Farmland regions.

Hunters lucky enough to get that buck of a lifetime would do well to consider having their kill recorded with the Wisconsin Buck and Bear Club (WBBC). This club often operates a booth at the local sport shows throughout the winter. Bring a deer rack to the booth for scoring and you can often get a discount off the admission to the show. Official scorers who can measure your deer at any time for the WBBC also are located around the state. To find out more, go to www.wi-buck-bear.org or call (877) 273-6408.

This Season's Regulations
Despite what hunters hear about the 2006 Wisconsin deer season, many would do well to consult the WDNR's Web site -- www.dnr.wi.gov -- or obtain the 2007 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations pamphlet before striking afield. Pamphlets are usually issued by vendors with each hunting license or are available from any WDNR Service Center.